All About Android 102: (Episode Name)

Guests

News

Eric Schmidt put a stop (at least for now) to the speculation that Chrome and Android might merge into a unified product now that Sundar Pichai would be taking over the lead on Android, on top of his work as VP of Chrome. Schmidt said "we don't make decisions based on who the leader is" but rather where the technology takes them. He said Chrome and Android will remain separate "for a very long time because they solve different problems."

Google just announced that it will send out invitations in the next few days to those who participated in its #ifihadglass campaign. Later this week, it will contact those who had the best ideas through Google+ and Twitter and invite them to purchase Glass for $1,500 and then pick up their devices at a number of events that the company is planning in San Francisco, New York and L.A. later this year. It’s not clear when exactly Google plans to ship these Glass Explorer Editions.

Gary G. Howell, a Republican member of the West Virginia legislature, has introduced a bill that would amend a state law forbidding texting-while-driving to also prohibit "using a wearable computer with head mounted display." That language is aimed pretty much right at Google Glass. Howell's no Luddite — he told CNET's that he's a fan of Google Glass in general. However, he sees his bill as an "extension" of texting-while-driving laws aimed at protecting young new drivers and those around them. "It is mostly the young that are the tech-savvy that try new things," he said. "They are also our most vulnerable and underskilled drivers. We heard of many crashes caused by texting and driving, most involving our youngest drivers."

Email

I caught yesterday’s episode of AAA where you talked about ad blockers. I agree with the team that ads are necessary for free content. We depend on ads to drive revenue on both platforms.

I was at a Google conference last week in Tel Aviv and Google relies on ads as much on iPhone as they do on Android.

Really great publishers have an ability and talent for using ads that are one both of perceived value to the user, not disrupting to non targeted users and flowing within the design aesthetic of the app.

Even if you don’t notice them, when scaled many people do notice them and indeed click them. The payment system to developers is based on clicks, so if ads don’t get clicked they are of little value to anyone in the supply chain.

Some people are hard to please, they will never be happy. Most likely the same people that sit through tv ads to have the ability to watch their favorite shows on network television.

Thanks for your support and if you do see an ad that works for you, click on it. It definitely helps support the devs and their families. Keep up the great work. Congrats on 100+ episodes

While Google wouldn't comment on the rumor, FT points out a 2011 Google patent application for a "smart watch" with a dual-screened "flip-up display" and "tactile user interface," although any product that Google did eventually bring to market could have little resemblance to the invention it describes. It's worth noting that Google acquisition Motorola produced its own Android-powered smartwatch under the name MotoACTV.

Google has considered transferring ideas from Project Glass over to your wrist by patenting a smart watch with a transparent, flip-up touchscreen. If such a device ever came off the USPTO papers, it would present notifications and other info transmitted from your smartphone at a glance, like many, many others now on the market.

The short of it: - T-Mobile launched LTE in seven markets (Baltimore, MD; Kansas City, KS; Houston, TX; Las Vegas, NV; Phoenix, AZ; San Jose, CA and Washington D.C. 10-20 Mbps down 8-12 up) - HD Voice if tailing to someone else using the service - "Best phones" cost $99 up front, plus $20 per month, or the full cost of the phone up front. - New plans as described previously, $50 for a line $10 for additional lines, $10 for 2GB of '4G' data, $20 for unlimited '4G' (though tethering is limited to 2.5GB). - If you leave T-Mobile before paying off phone, you owe the balance, but there's a 'fair market credit' for trade-ins.

Email

54:13

Just broke down and bought a Nexus 7 (actually 2 - one also for my son). I've been a follower of various TWIT shows, but now have a reason to follow All About Android. I love it! I want to know the best way to charge the battery for the longest life. Is it OK to charge it overnight (over-charge it)? I saw a post recently on an adroid forum that said: "I charge mine with the cable provided connected to a powered USB hub that is connected to my computer. It charges overnight even with the computer turned off. It charges slower than with the provided 2 amp charger but that is better. Slower charging causes less battery heat and longer battery life." Do you agree?

Apps

The tool, which can be found at http://www.drive.google.com/keep or in the Play Store for Android 4.0 and up, is meant to replace physical notepads by giving users a quick place to jot down reminders or lists. Since it's on Drive, they'll sync across devices (unless, at least right now, you're on iOS or Windows Phone), and notes can be organized in multiple colors, then archived or deleted when they're no longer needed. There's also a transcription tool, which will turn your voice memos into text.